Whoopi Goldberg used Tuesday's episode of The View (February 17, 2026) to directly address her name appearing in the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files, clarifying that the mention stems from a 2013 email request for private plane travel to a charity event and insisting she had no personal or close relationship with the late convicted sex offender.
During the show's "Hot Topics" segment, Goldberg, 70, brought up the issue proactively in the name of transparency. "My name is in the files. Yes!" she said, as producers displayed the relevant email on screen for viewers. The 2013 correspondence, part of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January 2026, involved a redacted sender asking Epstein if he would offer his private jet (a G-II) for Goldberg to travel to Monaco for an event hosted by Julian Lennon's White Feather Foundation. The email noted that Lennon's charity would cover the costs and that the requester preferred a private owner over chartering.
Goldberg read portions aloud, correcting the reference from "John Lennon's charity" to "Julian Lennon's charity" and highlighting Epstein's response: "No thanks." She emphasized that she never flew on his plane and had no further involvement.
"I wasn't his girlfriend. I wasn't his friend," Goldberg stated firmly. "I was not only too old [for him], but it was at a time where this is just not — you used to have to have facts before you said stuff." She added that she was addressing the topic because "I'm getting dragged" online, with some people mistakenly believing the mention implied wrongdoing or a closer association.
Co-host Joy Behar reinforced the point, noting that "anybody can be on this list" simply by being referenced in passing, without evidence of misconduct. The other panelists—Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and guest co-host Savannah Chrisley—supported Goldberg's explanation, framing the email as a routine logistical inquiry unrelated to Epstein's criminal activities.
The Epstein files, comprising thousands of pages from federal investigations, include mentions of numerous high-profile individuals from entertainment, politics, and business. Most appearances are incidental—such as flight logs, contact lists, or third-party inquiries—and do not imply wrongdoing or direct involvement in Epstein's crimes. Goldberg's name appears only in this single context, related to a charity travel request that was declined.
Goldberg has never been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and no evidence in the released documents suggests she had any social or personal relationship with him. She stressed that the mention was being misinterpreted online and used the platform to set the record straight.
The discussion reflects broader public fascination and speculation surrounding the Epstein documents since their phased release, which has included names of celebrities, politicians, and business figures. Many individuals named have similarly clarified that their mentions were peripheral or unrelated to Epstein's offenses.
The View continues to air weekdays on ABC, with Goldberg as moderator since 2007. The episode drew significant online attention, with clips of her explanation shared widely on social media and news outlets.
